US Approves Heavy Weapon Sales to NATO Hopeful (Finland)
The Libertarian Institute | Nov. 30, 2022
The US government has authorized a flurry of arms sales to European allies in recent weeks, including more than $850 million in advanced missiles and rockets to Finland, which is currently seeking to join the NATO military alliance.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) outlined the latest sale to Finland on Monday, noting that the State Department has approved a deal for 40 AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and related guidance units, as well as 48 AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons, for an estimated $323.3 million.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a trusted partner, which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the DSCA said, stressing that the deal would “not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
The Sidewinder is a versatile short-range air-to-air munition compatible with a variety of different launchers, first developed by the United States in 1956 and later adopted by dozens of American allies. The AGM-154 medium-range glide bomb is of much newer design, in service in the US since the late 1990s, and is capable of carrying various warheads. Both weapons are produced by Raytheon, and have been used by Finnish forces for several years.
White Paper Protests
A bold and historic phenomenon is taking place across China. The Chinese Communist Party has increasingly imposed draconian Covid restrictions in conjunction with their Zero Covid policy. Zero Covid policy has led to measures such as locking residents in their buildings without the ability to leave for work, food shopping, or medical purposes. In the face of tyrannical oppression by the Chinese Communist government, illegal protests have erupted in cities, and at universities, across the country, including in the cities of Nanjing and Beijing. The protests are calling for freedom from Covid tests, and for an end to “Zero Covid.”
The government is arresting protestors every day, yet there seems to be no sign of the protests dying down. Last week the cruel nature of Zero Covid policies culminated in the death of 10 citizens in a city called Urumqi, who burned alive in their apartment, as the government kept them locked in as a fire spread throughout their building.
Protests took on a fierce nature in response to that event, and last Saturday in Shanghai people held a vigil for the victims, while holding up blank white papers, which are a symbol of what they would like to say, yet can’t. The White Paper Protest has since begun to spread across China, including at Tsinghua University in Beijing and along the Chinese capital’s third Ring Road with images and videos of mass protests dotted by white.
According to Reuters, a 26-year-old protestor named Johnny stated that “The white paper represents everything we want to say but cannot say”.
People in Beijing marching on the third ring road… singing… and holding up empty white papers…
The empty white paper symbolizes their protest against censorship in China.
sound …
#China #ChinaProtests pic.twitter.com/Rwg24s9Nul
— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) November 27, 2022
The Chinese Communist Party is not known for its tolerance of dissent, and the courageous people of China are risking their lives by raising their voices.
UPDATE: As of this morning, there are reports that China is going to be backing down from the harshest of the Covid restrictions, after this week’s protests.
Igor Chudov reported about it here
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